Eighty members of the 140-voice Syracuse University Oratorio Society will perform as special guests with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra (SSO) in the SSO’s annual holiday presentation of Handel’s timeless masterpiece “Messiah” on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. The concert, sponsored by the Cathedral Candle Co., will be held at Most Holy Rosary Church, 111 Roberts Ave., Syracuse.

SSO music director Daniel Hege will lead the performance, which features local guest artists, including soprano and SU faculty member Janet Brown, tenor and former SU and Le Moyne College faculty member Robert Allen, bass Jimi James and mezzo-soprano Quinn Patrick.

Composed in just 24 days, the uplifting and inspirational holiday tradition “Messiah” features delicately spun melodies, beloved arias and choruses, including the thunderous “Great Amen” and the thrilling power of the ever-popular “Hallelujah Chorus.” Renowned as one of history’s greatest composers, George Frideric Handel wrote operas, concertos and instrumental works. Perhaps his finest contribution to music, however, was through his magnificent oratorios, epic-themed works for chorus, orchestra and soloists.

According to Charles Burney, historian of 18th-century music, “‘Messiah’ has fed the hungry and clothed the naked,” a reference to the fact that many productions of the masterwork have been staged to benefit charitable causes. Keeping with that tradition, the SSO is asking concertgoers to bring nonperishable food items to the performance. The items will be collected on behalf of the Interreligious Food Consortium, a network of more than 70 pantries and meal programs in Onondaga County.

Tickets for “Messiah” are $30, and seating is limited. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call the SSO at (315) 424-8200 or (800) 724-3810, or visit http://www.SyracuseSymphony.org.

Under the direction of Elisa Macedo Dekaney, faculty member in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the SU Oratorio Society is a mixed vocal ensemble composed of SU students, faculty, staff and community members who enrich the Syracuse community through education and development of choral music. Founded in 1975, the choir specializes in choral works from the Renaissance to the present, and its repertoire includes international, multicultural and commissioned works. The ensemble rehearses at Crouse College, collaborates with the SSO, and performs at locations throughout the Syracuse community.

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